Words. Austin Burton
All over the country, high school basketball players are headed back to the classroom (or will be soon) following another summer of AAU tournaments, elite skills camps, and national showcase games. The crew at YAY AREA’S FINEST put together a comprehensive highlight of this year’s best rising seniors and the work they put in on the summer circuit.
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Words. High School Hoop
The most distinct difference in the HSH/2K Sports national Top 50 player ranking and everyone else’s is that we disregard class. To us, a baller is a baller; doesn’t matter how old you are or when you’re slated to graduate.
Our rankings also aren’t based on what type of prospect you’ll be in the future, what college you pick or don’t pick, or what city you’re from. For this updated version of the Top 50 — the first we’ve done since the Class of 2010 seniors graduated — all that matters is what you did on this summer’s AAU circuit and what you did last season. We had eyes and ears at pretty much every major event, and saw every player on this list multiple times. MORE >
Words. Jason Jordan
Oakland (Calif.) High School shooting guard Jabari Brown is a bit perturbed at his place in the pecking order that is the national recruiting rankings.
It’s not the typical “I need to be ranked higher” or “I’m underrated” or “It’s politics” hot air that most players lead with. Brown has a legitimate gripe.
“I’m coming from California and it’s like most rankings don’t really give us a lot of credit,” said Brown, who runs with the Drew Gooden Soldiers AAU squad. “I don’t know why that is, but it’s something that we have noticed. I’m trying to change all that.” MORE >
Words. Jason Jordan
Twelve of the 50 players in the HSH national ranking took home the coveted Gatorade Player of the Year honor in their respective states. Here’s a look:
* FLORIDA — Brandon Knight, PG, Pine Crest H.S. (Ft. Lauderdale)
* GEORGIA — Ryan Harrow, PG, Walton (Marietta)
* IOWA — Harrison Barnes, SF, Ames MORE >
Words. Jason Jordan
Providence High School (Jacksonville, Fla.) forward Patric Young shares a popular theory about the selection process for the McDonald’s All-American game.
“It’s very political,” said Young, a Florida signee. “It has a lot to do with where you’re going (to college). I know a few guys that should’ve made the game. But hey, I’m just happy that I made it.”
Young, a 6-9 forward who is considered one of the best defensive post players in the country, was named to the McDonald’s All-American roster earlier this month. MORE >
Words. Jason Jordan
Chaminade College Prep (Mo.) scoring guard Brad Beal chose Florida over Kansas, Missouri and Illinois this week. Over the summer, Beal led the U.S. 16-and-under national team to a gold medal in Argentina, averaging 19 points per game.
One of the biggest lures for the Gators was that Beal’s friend, Winter Park (Fla.) star guard Austin Rivers, who is rated the No. 5 prospect in the HighSchoolHoop top 50, is also committed to Florida — albeit a shaky commitment since he’s also heavily considering Duke. MORE >
